Summer 2016 saw the re-election of Jeremy Corbyn to the position of leader of the Labour Party.

It also saw many lose their democratic right to vote for various reasons and by various methods. Some because emails were not received, some told they couldn`t be found on the electoral role (when an easy search established they were) and other examples where the administration fell short. Thousands were `purged` by use of immediate admin suspensions that is a facility that should only be used for exceptional circumstances – and most of these have now been unsuspended but lost their vote. Then we have the extraordinary 6 month freeze date; and also the increase from £3 to £25 fee to vote and only 2 days to use that option.

In the warm after-glow of Jeremy Corbyn’s win (with an increased mandate) there seems to be a rash of letters lifting suspensions but with the proviso that a warning stays on file.

A warning issued without an investigation ever taking place. This must be like appearing in court and being found guilty without the police ever conducting an investigation. No one would ever accept that and an appeal would obviously follow.

But it appears that people simply don’t want to talk about this. Some appear to be blissfully unaware of the dirty tricks employed to disenfranchise thousands of members. Is this because it doesn’t affect them directly or because the Labour Party has not been open about it, keeping things behind closed doors and trying to find a rug big enough to sweep this under?

Our party was founded on the principles of standing up for those that can’t do so themselves, giving a voice to those that are too fearful to speak for themselves.

Where have those values gone? I recently tabled a motion at my CLP calling for suspensions to be lifted and a proper process of investigation put in place. As I looked around the room I saw many blank faces, faces that suggested that they didn’t have a clue what had been going on.

Some struggled to find a defence for the actions of the NEC or to come up with facts to counter those presented to them. The motion was passed with only one vote against. The conversations in the pub afterwards also pointed to a lack of knowledge of the situation and a true desire to find out more and ask questions of those responsible.

People seem scared within their own party. Scared (or simply not aware) to support fellow members in what has been a massively difficult time for those “purged”. A lot of people have felt very alone, filled with self doubt and unsure who to turn to for support as they were banned from attending their own CLPs and some report that they were even removed from Facebook groups and forums. Mud sticks. Right? No smoke without fire? This has come about through lack of knowledge, poor communication and a desire by some to ignore it because “it’ll all sort itself out”. Well it won’t sort itself out on its own and it won’t go away either.

Why haven’t the NEC issued a statement? Why are they trying to keep us in the dark? Do they not realise that this is causing great division and mistrust within the party? Why does there appear to be no due process and an obvious lack of natural justice? Even the Torys have a default position of natural justice in their disciplinary process.

Members seem to be fearful of showing support for the suspended/expelled in case their membership is at risk. Some appear to be in complete denial that their beloved party would ever do such a thing to its membership.

This is a membership that will turn out in all weather to campaign.

The same membership that will canvas for and promote parliamentary candidates, exactly the same as the purged members have done in the past. We need to talk about the elephant in the room (or the large lump under the carpet).

We need to stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow members and tell the NEC that things need to change quickly Obviously anyone who is found to have breached rules must have some level of sanction against them There is a strong desire for unity within the party but I fear that we will never achieve this until the truth comes out in a public way. How can we expect to govern the country when our party appears to be so underhanded with its membership? I’m sure more will be suspended but that will only make our voice stronger.

Like this:

Related

numina1

2 thoughts on “DON’T MENTION THE PURGE”

Yes CRAIG you and me both.
I have had 3 replies today after posting an email direct to my Constituency Party and my MP describing my treatment by the NEC and LP Head Office.
Not one of those questions has been answered.
My MP and CLP knows who I am, as my address, my mobile and house number.
Yet the mail asked me to send my details so they could answer directly.
I wrote back, telling them the above.
They sent me an attachment of the letter lifting my suspension.
Which I didn’t ask for.
The COVERUP goes on!

I totally echo your words Craig. What they have dinner is unforgettable and unforgivable. They took away our democratic right to vote. For no good reason but just because they could. So much power in so few hands is dangerous. McNicol and his accomplices are getting away with it and people with the power to assist us are not. I am one of those who is starting to question why I am still supporting a party that doesn’t reciprocate.

NOT GUILTY – I will not accept NEC `warning`

I have a number of friends who were Owen Smith supporters and who probably believed the hype about "nasty Corbyn supporters".

But when I got suspended they were genuinely shocked. I have had offers from them wanting to act as a character witness for me. Very sweet of them, but I have never done abuse.

Whilst waiting outside the B'ham hustings (I didn't get a ticket) while some were booing Owen Smith and calling him a traitor, I shook his hand and welcomed him and genuinely told him it was nice to meet him. It's who I am and how I am. At 55 I am hardly going to change now.

But that is not the same as "rolling over". Far from it. When I feel strongly about an injustice I do not let go. It is usually about other people, but this time I guess I am the one feeling oppressed!

One of Thousands

No Natural Justice.

No Due Process.

Rebecca:

I was suspended near to the end of the 2nd election campaign, just two days after I finally got an email vote and voted Corbyn!

I haven't had any explanation, and to be left like this in limbo, I consider an insult to all my efforts in supporting and working with Labour (mobilisation officer for In Campaign in my area) campaigning, attending meetings, standing up for Jeremy Corbyn as leader.

Just to be left like this, really hurts.

Conditions of Lifting Suspensions

In a further crass decision by the NEC they are now lifting suspensions by proclaiming a person guilty and giving them a WARNING and also informing members that `it will be left on file for future reference`!

It is disturbing that the L.P. have zero respect for due process and natural justice.

We have dozens of people who have been sent no evidence of their alleged crime, given no right of reply - and yet the NEC act as a combined judge jury and executioner.

NO CHECKS NO BALANCES

Suspended for FOUR MONTHS for a tweet that was not abusive and most definitely fair comment:

Addressed to one of the resigning MPs, the text was: '@RhonddaBryant Thanks for the long pompous resignation letter. If only you could shit outside the tent instead of in it! Bye'.

Now 4 months later they receive this:

"I am pleased to inform you that your administrative suspension from the Labour Party has been lifted and that you are now free to resume active membership. You were suspended following posts you allegedly wrote on Social Media which may have caused offence to some members.

The NEC has since taken into account the wider context in which your comments were made and has seen fit to lift your suspension with immediate effect. We welcome you back to full membership of the Party".

I think it is crucial to demand an apology. This should, at most , have been put in a file to issue a possible warning (and then dismissed) - certainly not instant suspension for abuse.

Unacceptable ‘un-suspension’ letter

Philip William:

I got my ‘un-suspension’ letter today :

I was suspended on a whim for something that was obviously not worth a suspension, but which could serve as a useful pretext to remove a Corbyn supporter’s vote from him? They cashed my £10.00 cheque for my SAR a couple of weeks ago, so I hope this will shed more light when it eventually comes through. Iain McNichol ‘welcome[s me] back to full membership of the Party’. I’ll bet he does as well!

I am fuming that this was quite obviously a trumped up charge that some over enthusiastic compliance officer has just acted on without due care. I’ve missed the leadership election, my branch meetings and my CLP AGM as a result of this suspension. It doesn’t even say what the allegation is. I cannot WAIT for my SAR to come through. They cashed the cheque a couple of weeks ago so they had better send me one.

I’ve missed the leadership election, my branch meetings and my CLP AGM as a result of this suspension. It doesn’t even say what the allegation is. I cannot WAIT for my SAR to come through. They cashed the cheque a couple of weeks ago so they had better send me one.

Philip William`s ‘un-suspension’ letter

Archives

Archives

Archives

THE NEC and McNicol must be called to Book NOW – such gross incompetence and injustice evidenced, and yet STILL they continue

One extraordinary illustration of the incompetence and unfairness overseen by Iain McNicol is a case where a member was purged because of a retweet ... BUT McNicol hadn`t even bothered to check the identity of the person.

Someone obviously had searched twitter for the person`s name to find something to report him for. AND they found someone of that name and reported him and he was purged. BUT it wasn`t him, it was an American of the same name.

So, maybe you think that`s a one off, and is the worse it can get? NOPE. Today we learnt of someone who was suspended for allegedly `paying for a vote`!

Now no-one paid for a vote anyway but what makes this extra extraordinary is that this person knew nothing about the offer to pay for people`s groceries.

Guess what - they lifted his suspension BUT they have given him a Warning and `case left on file`!